Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution: Jamie's Kitchen Opens, The Revolt Begins + Fighting with the LAUSD

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution: Jamie's Kitchen Opens, The Revolt Begins + Fighting with the LAUSD

By Amy Scattergood Thu., Jan. 13 2011 at 6:52 AM

A. Scattergood

Jamie Oliver at the LA Food Revolution headquarters

Jamie Oliver was in pre-revolt mode yesterday morning, as he gave the press a tour of Jamie's Kitchen, the new Westwood headquarters of his Food Revolution, the former retail space that will be his kitchen classroom and production set. It was Day 2, according to Oliver, of the Los Angeles movement, or rather Day 2 of production for what will be the second season of Oliver's ABC Emmy-winning reality show. Season one of Food Revolution took place last year in Huntington, West Virginia. Oliver's plans to bring both the movement and his show to L.A. have been hampered by the LAUSD's repeated refusal to let him film in their schools, a decision that Oliver is fighting. So yes, the Revolution will certainly be televised, just maybe not in any LAUSD cafeteria.

The British chef, cookbook author and television personality invited Los Angeles parents to come to Jamie's Kitchen, at 1038 Westwood Boulevard, today at noon to so that he "can listen to their problems" and they can organize and "sign up" to help him petition the LAUSD to reverse their decision. "It's a bit of a rally," said Oliver.

Oliver was vague when asked what he'd do if the LAUSD doesn't let him into their cafeterias, admitting that Season 2 is currently a work-in-progress. "Really we're making a documentary," said the chef, who described the television component of his Revolution, which goal is to change the way the public, particularly children, eat, as "a strength but also a massive weakness." But the reality of his reality television is that "if the cameras don't see it, the public don't see it. That's my problem."

Oliver credited L.A.'s diversity as a main reason for choosing this city for the location of the second season. As for the enormity of the city, the chef said he'd probably do much of his work out of a truck, a mobile teaching kitchen, that will hit the road mid March. Oliver says that he wants to use this truck, and hopefully others like them, to reach the communities somewhat further afield than relatively affluent Westwood.

The chef will have a bit of help from Chipotle, which recently donated $1 million to his cause.

As for the current situation with the LAUSD, Oliver called for grassroots support, hence today's rally. "I need any school at the moment," said Oliver. "Normally getting into schools isn't a problem. We've never had a total shutdown. In my country, it would be illegal."

Jamie's Kitchen is the temporary home of the movement, a location set up mostly to be used as a set for the television show. A second permanent kitchen opens in a still-to-be-determined location across the street and is expected to be operational by summer. The Westwood kitchen, however, is currently staffed and Oliver said they can start teaching classes immediately if there is a demand. Jamie's Kitchen can accomodate 20-25 students at a time for the classes, which Oliver says will be free. The space has stations with stoves for cooking classes and demos, an herb garden, a simulated market stand, tables and chairs for meals, and plasma television screens which will hook up with programs in his other Revolution kitchens in West Virginia, England, and Australia.

The chef said more than once that the Revolution is not celebrity-driven, but a continuation of a movement towards more healthful eating that is already taking place. "I don't know why it's me. The opportunity has fallen in my lap," said Oliver. "I tried for seven years," he said of his life before The Naked Chef made him famous, "and I couldn't even get onto a crappy cable show."

Oliver and his family have temporarily relocated to Los Angeles.

Anyone interested in contacting Jamie's Kitchen for classes or other information can email jamieskitchenla@live.com.

A. Scattergood

Jamie Oliver, with hat, camera

A. Scattergood

the Food Revolution set/kitchen

A. Scattergood

Food Revolution market stall

A. Scattergood

Food Revolution herb garden

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Jamie's Kitchen

1038 Westwood Blvd., Westwood, CA

Category: Restaurant

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Amy Scattergood, Food Revolution, Jamie Oliver, LAUSD

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ueziz rodriguez

Jamie, I just wanna know if u r also a survivor eating anything...lol! but to tell u the truth i'd like the way u create food, twas really a revolution n i started doin it. U really doing a good job! tnx a lot n wish to see u here in Philippines someday n somehow. More power on ur show buddy!

Karls

The cronies at the LAUSD were some of the scariest I have seen in some time. I certainly wouldn't want them deciding what my kids ate.

E-glide

Awesome Revolution, JC Kitchen, Market Stalls & The gardens.

So simple, so Fresh!

Ray Moya

Jaime, you are AWESOME!!! What an eye opener your visit to LA has been for all of us viewers. What a SHOCK at the way you have been treated by the LAUSD. Especially disappointing was the reaction and TOTAL "coldness" of Sup Ray Cortinez. This man made himself appear as though the only thing important to him was that he had the final word. Kids health, healthier food etc... did not seem to be of any use to this man whatsoever.

Jaime, you keep climbing this up hill battle. You are NOT alone as there are MANY of us who TRULY care and believe in what you are doing and we will be there to help you fight the fight!

Ganewton4

Some of the comments below are the epitome of why America is screwed.

deesoto

I don't understand why LAUSD can't or wont care for our kids but they care about their paychecks! If we don't have our kids in school they don't get paid. It's bad enough that the cut-backs or not helping our kids in their academic! LAUSD don't make our future fat,unheathly,and stupid. If LAUSD doesn't have anything to hide just let Jamie in! Prove us wrong! Jamie I'm on your side and I'm a mother of three and I to started a heathlier meal plan in my house.

Steve16

Right on JAMIE!Good luck

sana

with a child who is a very particular eater, I at least bring a bag of healthy snacks with him. He usually would rather eat at home anyways then at school no matter what kind of food it is. But this is very ridiculous, and nothing new about this. It is crap food, and is part of the reason why I am going to go back to homeschooling my child again. I mean the kids don't eat good and it's not even their faults. How can the public help you. We are willing. Let us know?

KELELA67

I saw the preview and it brought tears to my eyes. I grew up in LAUSD and ate school food by in the 70s and 80s. It wasn't great, but it was okay... but oh my gosh!! I couldn't even identify the food in the preview. I have two young children who are happy, active and excited about life. What you said holding the baby is true. Our children are the most precious thing that we have done in our entire life and we do everything to give them more than what he had. Food is what sustains us everyday. What we put into our body allows us to think and grow.... or not! What I want for my children I want for ALL children! And you, Jaime Oliver can make a huge difference in the lives of many, many, many children in southern California. If you are successful, these children will feel like someone really cared about them. GO FOOD REVOLUTION!!!

regina

Jamie's message is a good one; our schools need to listen. But Westwood? How did that happen??

Manny

He needed to open in ELA.

Stevewwc

When do you open ?????????? Are you just making a statement ???????

Xiaopu812

Did anyone for once notice that it is more likely that the choice of Westwood was not made by Oliver but by ABC? He might be the host, and the main driving force behind the concept, but this is not a one-man-show, Jamie Oliver is not God, not every decisions were made by him. Give him a break. But if you have to attack him due to his celebrity chef status, I suggest you eat some sour grapes instead.

Missangiehill

HARDLY A GIMMICK... SOMETIMES IT TAKES DECADES OF THE SAME APPROACH TO GET PEOPLE TO CHANGE THEIR LAZY HABITS. AND THE FOOD IN THESE SCHOOL DISTRICTS COMBINED WITH THE ACCEPTED ATTITUDE TOWARD SHITTY EATING IN THE US IS ATROCIOUS. GO JAMIE GO!!!! MAKE SOME CHANGE!!!

Miss Poppy

Jamie won't help unless he can make a spectacle of our school system, our city, our parents and our children. We have real problems and they won't be solved by a celebrity.

Why are we so starstruck? We, of all people, should know better. If you want change - be the solution. Don't just toady to a celeb.

Jgabbett

This isn't about being star struck, it's about getting people to WAKE UP about our unhealthy eating habits that are killing us and our kids. Sometimes it takes just one person to take a stand no matter what and that's what Jamie is doing.

Roberta finlay

LAUSD are in deep water as it is so if a great proposal like Jamie's comes along it makes no since to turn it down unless they are hiding the real truth that the food they serve is junk and they cannot or will not admit to it. Stop being part of the problem and start being part of the solution.

DorothyP

If he had any cojones, he'd be in Compton, not Westwood. His gimmick is getting old.

Miss Poppy

I had no idea the problem had become so dire that we needed to call in a celebrity.

Poop

Why dont you try Santa Monica?

Limey313

Santa Monica-Malibu is a different school district. Probably better food

Mysticyat

Don't kid yourself. My son was in SMMUSD for 7 years and I packed his lunch every morning so that he didn't wind up with Pizza 3 days a week and cheeseburgers the other 2.

Chris

Yes different school district but our food is the same commodity prison food as all schools. It's really is a shame the district finds it OK to feed our children this way. Wish we cold do more but it's a slow process.

Kenna

Why would I want my child's education interupted by a reality show? Jamie should go back to London... http://foodiegossip.blogspot.c...

Thehealingartist

Jamie Oliver! YOU ROCK!!!!!!

Orangeish

Wow. This is possibly the dumbest decision the LAUSD has ever made, and I'm thrilled they made it. Can you imagine? Jamie trucking down to the O.C. to do the show? Jamie paying kids to sneak out of L.A. lunchrooms with their lunch to show the cameras what they're being served?

The LAUSD bureaucrats are clearly terrified of TV cameras being in their lunchrooms and being exposed as slovenly, indifferent, space-wasting zilches, and I'm absolutely floored. This is gonna be better than what happened in Bell.

Kitchngodess

I love you, Jaime, and I love what you're doing, but why this focus on LA schools? If bringing healthy lifestyle choices to the masses really is your mission, I would imagine many, many podunk towns across the nation would welcome you with open arms.....LA ain't the end-all

Linda Perez

Jamie, when I saw your first season I loved it and I was wondering if you were coming to L.A. some day. I'm glad you are! In my opinion, Westwood is not the best neighborhood to go to because it is a wealthy area. Try bringing your show to South and East L.A. where poverty and poor nutrition is #1 issue, besides poor education.

Goodeater

Gee, Jamie, I guess the lower middle class folks in W. Virginia scared you. You're going to change America's eating habits from a studio in Westwood? With Westside parents coming in to investigate your kitchen? Next year: a studio in NYC's Upper East Side to educate the parents of the malnourished kids at Dalton. Obviously you've been taking Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP to heart. Bravo. And I'm glad you're "thinking" of using a truck to reach the "far afield" neighborhoods of LA. It will be a good way to beat a hasty retreat if the locals don't greet you as warmly as you'd like.

sinosoul

"what he'd do if the LAUSD doesn't let him into their cafeterias" -- easy, turn Jamie's Kitchen into Jamie's "Test" Kitchen, charge $90/pp and pay Chipotle back.